45 



place for this would te in California in a known almond district, and 

 it is hoped that as time goes on experiments along this line will be 

 conducted in an effort to secure later blossoming varieties and earlier 

 ripening varieties. Our guess is that it would not be possible, at 

 least within the lifetime of one man, to lengthen the normal resting 

 period of any strain of pure bred almonds to the point where they 

 would be able to withstand the long eastern winters and at the same 

 time shorten the ripening period to practical limits. The develop- 

 ment of this work, as far as it can be practically carried, should 

 result in relatively late blossoming almonds which could then be used 

 as a basis for breeding with peaches in an effort to still further 

 approach the desired results and yet maintain the desirable charac- 

 teristics of the almond. This simply involves the application of 

 known breeding methods to these fruits. 



To accomplish anything of this kind involves the development 

 of a long-time plan which must be consistently followed. We would 

 not look for any results to speak of before ten years, and would 

 not expect any definite worthwhile results short of twenty years. It 

 appears, however, that the possibilities are great and well worth 

 striving for, and it is our sincere hope that some day a variety may 

 be developed which will prove adaptable to eastern conditions. 



The usual summer climatic conditions which prevail in the east- 

 ern states are not favorable to the economical production of almonds 

 in a commercial way but we see no reason why they should not be 

 eventually developed to the point where they may prove of consid- 

 erable value and satisfaction for home orchards. The very fact 

 that thus far no varieties of peaches have been developed which are 

 immune year after year to spring frosts would indicate that it would 

 probably be impossible to secure an almond which would be better 

 than any peaches now known. On the other hand, one never knows 

 until he tries and we believe that out of the effort much good could 

 be accomplished, not only in the possible production of satisfactory 

 varieties of almonds, but possibly in the accidental development of 

 new and highly desirable peach varieties. 



The possible development of a desirable table or canning peach 

 variety with a sweet kernel would in itself be well worth the effort. 



I had occasion to examine those Illinois almonds on the table 

 here. It is quite evident that even though dried out somewhat they 

 have some of the characteristics of the peach. The hull itself is 

 fleshy even though thin. That is a characteristic that does not appear 

 in the normal, pure bred almond hull. 



I was just talking with Dr. Morris about some efforts he made 

 at Stamford, Connecticut, to grow almonds. He stated to me, what 

 was a very great surprise, that almonds there are afflicted with 

 peach leaf curl and other diseases to which, under our weather con- 

 ditions, they are not subject at all. There are undoubtedly other 

 conditions here, due to a different climate, which we of California 

 do not recognize at all. 



